A blog containing random thoughts, bits of life, creations from my art room and tales of a cat named Orlando and a puppy named Siddy

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Crafting Again…

There’s activity in the happy making room again … well, I shouldn’t say ‘again’ in some ways it didn’t really stop. I made lots of cards there for a bit, but forgot to take photos of any of them except this one, which kind of reminds me of Siddy and so I kept it

But there’s been some playing with beads going on

A few new light catchers are emerging – I’m playing with odd colour combinations to see what happens.

Also, somewhere along the line I had decided to make a concerted effort to rid myself, or at least make a serious dent in, the cupboard full of of left over and unused yarns that have been accumulated over the past two decades. I had been on the lookout for an idea or inspiration and then happened to mention it to Nana Cathy who sent me over to Coastal Crochet and voila! The perfect thing for me and, at just nine weeks behind, I caught up in two weeks. As you can see my yarn cupboard holds many different shades and hues of blue and even that green has a blue thread running through it – I have no clue how that grape colour got in there!

It’s a slow project, the designer Eleonora is adding just 4 or so rows every week, leaving plenty of time for other creative projects to continue too. Which is really good, because on arriving home from my Blogging Babes Reunion and collecting a bag of mail from my lovely neighbour I found it included two big letters.

One, from The Wool Company, contained a catalogue and a gift voucher and a note saying to do nothing until I received an explanatory letter….. and the other from my friend who blogs, Jan, over at The Snail of Happiness containing the explanatory letter and a ‘Persian Tiles’ crochet pattern

Jan explained she had seen a comment I had left on a mutual friends blog who was making the Persian Jewels blanket, that if I lived in the UK I’d be definitely buying that kit to make up and she decided that not living in the UK was no reason to not be able to make my own ……

You can see why I wax eloquent about the joys of blogging right? I am once again made speechless by the kindness, love and generosity heaped on my tiny head by fabulous people!! I sat in silence for a long time reading and rereading Jan’s letter and looking at the note from The Wool Company, then I packed it all up and drove off to my daughter’s place and showed her and we both sat in silence and revelled in the wonder of having wonderful friends, met purely through blogging.

A week passed by while I looked and considered colour options, eventually this is what I chose – it’s 100% NZ Corriedale wool, 8 ply from The Wool Company

Aren’t those just the best colours! Though that red hank is not red, it’s ‘Azalea’ a bright pink. There are seven different colours and as soon as I have finished wrangling those 200g hanks into giant balls I will begin to crochet my first square – I can’t wait to get it underway!

You know it is going to be mostly blue don’t you 🙂

Jan you are brilliant and thoughtful and kind and I am so happy to have you as a friend – thank you so much!!

And to finish, here’s a shot I took of Siddy and two of his favourite admirers having coffee a couple of weeks back – I wonder what they are talking about …..

That’s what I’m up to, I’ll be back with more in a week or so. What are you making right now?

Ooooh! I might join in on the Coastal Crochet project. I just found my stash of yarns that moved with us (can it already be 5 years ago??!). I love what you’ve done with yours so far, and love the colors you picked out for the Persian Tiles blanket (which also looks quite interesting!!).

Crafting bloggers are the BEST!!!! It is such a wonderful community isn’t it. Mrs Snail epitomises the generosity of spirit that abounds. Your beads make me drool – better than sweets to me! Makes me want to get back to working with beads. Looking forward to seeing your creations. ❤

Jan does indeed epitomise that generous spirit. I adore her!! I love beads, they have such potential to make even more beauty. It’s bracelets next for me – I keep saying that and one day it will be true 🙂

Love to see your crochet projects – I can relate them to my quilting more easily than I can the beads, which I haven’t worked with. Love the first blanket – just a stunning use of stitches and colors. Can’t wait to see the tile one. Do be sure to post pics.

The designer, Eleonora, is really impressing me with her variety of stitches. It is really fun to just be doing a couple of hours every week and having no clue where it is going. I shall post regular updates of both for sure 🙂

Well thank you Derrick 🙂 I see you found my secret Siddy blog – how on earth did you unearth that? I had been wondering if I should post his pics on that and then decided it was too much work and I spend way too much time on line as it is. Now, if he had opposable thumbs!! 🙂

Hmmm….well that worked. As I was saying (but will never be able to say again so brilliantly…ha!) I love that you’re using your yarn stash to make something so beautiful as witnessed in the photo above. Further, just imagine all that extra storage space you’ll have once the stash is used for your blanket.

I love that Jan sent you such a beautiful and thoughtful parcel. I’m excited to see your Persian Tile blanket unfold as well. I think you’re the third blogger I know making this gorgeous blanket. One day (perhaps when I retire) I hope to be able to create a thing of beauty like all of you. Right now, it simply looks like magic to me. Love you, Pauline

I posted the second reply and went through the whole ‘can’t be posted’ thing 😀 At least I had confirmation that my system works 🙂 ‘If Siddy drank coffee’ lol!! Imagine the chaos!! He’ll have his fourth birthday on the 4th April and is so much calmer and quieter now than four years ago 🙂

The thing that has totally stymied me is that despite the fact I have removed a washing hamper full of yarn from that cupboard, it is still full. Maybe I shall simply keep crocheting until it is all gone…. may have to live forever though….. 🙂 The thing about crochet is it really is quite straight forward to learn and once you know how to do it is generally a very forgiving craft which makes it even more fun.

I don’t know if it is the same for you but I discovered that if I had a page open for too long and then tried to post a comment it refused to post. Hitting the go back arrow takes me back to the comment which I then copy and paste on the refreshed page. As I often get side tracked between reading and commenting this happens to me intermittently and, before I learned how to overcome the problem, always happened when I had made a long and totally brilliant comment 🙂

There’s something about you, Pauline, that inspires people to treat you well! You bring out the best in others, you really do. You have some beautiful crochet in your future–it should keep you out of trouble for a good long time! 😉

Life has not always been this way so I am most happy to think there might be something in what you say Kerry – thank you for the lovely compliment 🙂 I’m having that lovely waking moment that happens when the thought of the work in progress floats past in a cloud of delight……… No trouble happening here 🙂

I’ve been adjusting my colour choices this evening on the main tiles and have just got it right. The pattern is well written and it’s easy work. I had to adjust my hook size as my yarn is slightly thicker than the pattern uses. I’m already enjoying making it . Go on – get yourself the kit and crochet along with me 🙂

I’m glad creation is on the move again. Those beads. I’d have such trouble choosing, though that bunch on the center right are a fabulous color…and your crochet piece is gorgeous with the colors (who cares how one color or the other such in). Wow. You’re back in full gear! I had no idea Siddy drank coffee, but he is an exceptional canine!

I’ve just emerged from putting three of those different bead combos into three strand catchers – I’m surprised that they look pretty good but not everyone will like those combos. My two yarn projects are making me very happy 🙂 Siddy, being of the canine species as you so correctly point out, is willing to give anything a try when no-one is looking….. I say that because yesterday he stole my piece of vegemite toast when I went to the door – but while on holiday I believe his manners were mostly impeccable.

He was getting too much good attention to be bad!!! I hope you find people like the bead combos. There are so many different eyes and ways of looking at color that I bet it will work out well. I liked the crochet project…and the yarn you bought. I may have to learn that knitting/crochet thing…

Oh Pauline, I can’t wait to see the Persian Tiles come together. I’ve been admiring that pattern and the various creations I see on Facebook for so long and would love to try it myself one day. What a treat to have a special friend spoil you in the best way possible. You are going to have so much fun. Keep us posted on your progress.

You’re actually going to make that complicated tile blanket? That’s impressive. Those happy colours should help keep you motivated. Like you, I have many sheeps worth of wool in my stash waiting to be knit. Someday.

It’s always a pleasure to spread joy… and I love surprises – both giving and receiving.
I am in a bit of a creative low at the moment… I really want to get my work room more organised but I’d also like to paint the walls and that will require a lot of book moving, which I really can’t face right now.
Seeing other people’s creativity is always inspiring and I love that blanket from oddments – it looks fabulous.

Well, you certainly surprised me! 🙂 It made me wonder how much more good fortune could one person have!! I can’t thank you enough xoxo

I do know the frustration of that creative low. I once thought I’d like to paint the walls of my art room but moving all that stuff – and where on earth would it go? So that idea went in the too hard basket where it will probably always stay. I just hung lots of pictures on the wall instead and decided to get on with making something – anything to break the block 🙂 On the other hand there is also the creative low that simply means we are gestating something new and it needs to be allowed its space. Which one are you I wonder……

As to the CAL, using up the leftovers of yarn in this way is perfect for me and I’m really enjoying seeing how each segment changes the look. So I’ll be creating two throws at the same time which is quite a new thing for me I usually only tackle one yarn project at a time. I’m busting to get started on the first tile too – just to see how it looks. My winter evenings are ready set, go!! Thank you again and more big hugs xoxo

Absolutely amazing. That blanket is going to be stunning. I love blue just as much. So your blue is just perfect. 🙂
Your friend is amazing, and knows you so well. It is always so cool when something like that happens.
I love the pic of Siddy and the ladies. He is sitting and listening and paying them full attention. Just adorable.
Have a great crafty Easter Weekend and lots of fun time with family and friends.
Hugs from a lovely SA, Fall is finally starting to set in. 🙂

Yes, my friend is amazing – and it was such a cool thing to have happen 🙂 Glad the blue has other admirers too. I feel like I really ought to try other colours, but just can’t let a good blue go by…… Have a happy Easter break over there in SA too xo

I am convinced I have the best online friends 🙂 I can’t knit socks, it seems to be against some sort of religion I didn’t know I had! I always admire folks who casually throw it out as an option for themselves to whip up 🙂 Happy knitting eventually!

I look forward to seeing your Persian Tiles blanket. As you know I am making one in a different colour way. Nearly finished the first tile. I love the coastal blanket you are making. You caught up very quickly. Have a good week crafting.

I was on a mission to catch up with Eleonora’s CAL knowing the yarn for the Persian was on its way and knowing I would want to get that started asap 🙂 Still making balls out of those hanks at the moment but hopefully will apply hook to yarn tomorrow and get the tension sorted – this is slightly thicker yarn. We’ll be able to compare notes as we go 🙂

Look at you go! You really have a lot of creative balls in the air 😀 Big love for your new bead colour combo’s. I love figuring out colour combos on my LO’s too. Hey?! is that a sweater you’re knitting? It’d be fun to make a beaded braclet to wear with it. The colours are really awesome together. Of course I love the blues but thrown in with that yummy green, “Bam” Do know the Dutch clothing company, ‘Oilily’? They very often do cool color combo’s in their sweaters. Very pricey too.

Jan’s so sweet to send along a ka-boodle of happiness. Being a blogger is so much more than most would think, isn’t it. Your last photo made me smile. Mr Siddy was surely entertaining us with a fantastic story of his trip to Wanaka. I so miss his sweet self ❤ and you too mama P. xo K

I do like being able to put bright colours together, that link you left leads to a rabbit hole of colourful loveliness. Have you ever purchased anything of note from them? No, it is not a sweater I’m crocheting it will be a throw, but one of the participants took the idea and ran with it and made a sweater pattern – it looks fabulous! The other yarn is also for a throw – I will have throws to spare here when done, but the furniture will be well dressed and I won’t ever be cold 🙂 I love that photo of you and Laurie deeply immersed with Mr Siddy. He still misses all his aunties but looks less for you all as time goes by. I am still really touched by Jan’s thoughtfulness – she went to a lot of trouble to make this such an unexpected and perfect surprise. Aren’t blogging friends just the best! 🙂 xoxo

Happy to see you’re contentedly crafting Pauline and with a new task ahead of you. Jan is a real sweetie isn’t she.Friendships made online are as real as those made with neighbors.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx

I’ve accomplished a bit since Alys’ visit but haven’t had time to write a post about it yet. I think I’ll try tomorrow before I go to pull weeds or the weekend, which will be all mine. My days are full. How does that happen at my age? 🙂 Anyway, I love the grape in there with the other colors. It looks purposeful. I miss crochet but have way too much on my plate already. Jan and Cathy are both lovely, kind ladies and love visiting them. This blogging community is really something special. Your yarn is beautiful. Love the blues and greens but the Azalea will make it pop. Siddy looks right at home with his coffee buddies. My Schatzie used to sit nicely at the table as well; quite well mannered for a dog and better than many children. The beads look like they could bring out anyone’s creativity but I’ll say this, the card you kept with the puppy on it is just adorable and warms my heart. How you did that, I’ll never know but couldn’t duplicate it’s loveliness if I did know. Glad to see you are back to relaxing with your creativity. Giant hugs to you all.

Marlene you are a joy! I so enjoy reading your comments after you have read each post. I’m determined this coming winter to make sure I have days every week when I can move at my own pace, doing my own things and not go out except to walk with Siddy – somehow my life got too busy over the last year or so and I too need to look for balance in my days. So I’m pulling back from a few things and preparing to immerse myself in my art room again. Siddy is quieter now and more prepared to let me be for a couple of hours at a time – it’s like having the kids go off to school for a part of each day and the relief of having that quiet time 🙂 It sounds like you might have to address how you are spending your time each day too – we need to find time to do the things that matter to us too.
I feel really blessed with the community that gathers here and you are an important part too. xoxo

Thank you for your sweet comment. I understand about Siddy. 🙂 I remember when Schatzie finally settled down and let me be a little bit. Quiet, reflective time is so important! Today is a run to the post office, then time out in the yard pulling weeds and trying to get a handle on it. There really is more here than I want to take care of anymore. I’m feeling the need for a much simpler life and this one is already pretty simple by most standards. I just have so much I still want to do. 🙂 Have a lovely, cozy winter. Giant hugs.

Oh the possibilities…yarn, beads, cards! Isn’t it so much fun?!? The doggy cards are sweet, and I love the blues, greens, and AZALEA 😍you picked out for the blanket. My creative pursuit at the moment is writing two articles for our local city magazine. One on the importance of pollinators in our gardens. The other on creating a bird-friendly garden. Short deadline, so that’s stressful; but an oh so important topic to write about: The birds and the bees. 🐝🦋🐛🦅🦇🦉🐞